BACKGROUND:The cervical spine of the human body is an important structure carrying the head and connecting the spine. Its volume is smal, but its flexibility was great. Activity frequency was highest. Simultaneously, cervical spine is the most complicated bony structure of geometric and kinematic characteristics of human body, bears the physiological load of the head, has functions of flexion and extension, lateral bending and rotation. Therefore, the cervical spine has become one of the most vulnerable structures with degenerative diseases of the spine. Analysis of upper cervical spine biomechanics, recognition and understanding of its normal function and mechanical mechanism wil provide a theoretical basis for better treatment of upper cervical spine disorders.
OBJECTIVE:To observe thein vivothree-dimensional kinematics of the upper cervical spine in healthy human beings under physiological load with dual fluorescence X-ray imaging system and spiral CT.
METHODS:Seventeen healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. The vertebral segment motion of each subject was reconstructed with three-dimensional computed tomography and solid modeling software.In vivo cervical vertebral motion during functional postures was observed with dual fluoroscopic imaging. Coordinate systems were established at the vertebral center to obtain the intervertebral range of motion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) During the flexion-extension motion, significant differences in the distance in coronal axis, sagittal axis and angle of rotation were detected in C1-2 and C2-3segments. (2) During the left-right bending motion, the angle of rotation was obviously greater at C1-2 segment than that at C2-3segment. During the left-right twisting motion, significant differences in distance of the vertical axis and the coronal axis, lateral flexion angle and rotation angle were detectable between C1-2and C2-3 segments. (3) These findings confirmed that dual fluorescence X-ray imaging system combined with CT scan can obtain atlanto-axial three-dimensional instantaneous motion of six-DOF data of healthy adults, and found that the main motion of the C1-2 vertebrae is rotating. These data may provide us with some new information about the in vivo kinematics of the upper cervical spine and the non-fixed surgical operation.

Objective:To develop a novelty retrieval management system to meet actual demands of military medical sci-tech novelty retrieval. Methods:Delphi 7.0, Access 2000 and SQL Server 2000 were employed as the developmental platform to realize the system functions.Results and Conclusion:The military medical sci-tech novelty retrieval management system can exercise overall management and improve the quality and efficiency of novelty retrieval, which will provide information and decision assistance for management of medical researches.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets in bronchial asthma.Methods Fifty BALB/C mice were randomly and equally divided into control (Con) group,ovalbumin (OVA) group,dexamethasone (DEX) group,high-dose Lianhua group,low-dose Lianhua group.The mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA plus aluminium hydroxide to establish asthmatic model and were pre-treated 30 minutes before challenge.Specific airway resistance (sRaw) was used to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness,and airway inflammatory changes were measured.ELISA and Magnetic Luminex(R) were used to quantified the levels of IL-4,IL-13 and INF-γ.Results Airway resistance significantly decreased in DEX group and High-dose Lianhua group (P＜0.05).Levels of inflammatory cells and IL-13 in BALF evidently reduced in DEX group,high-dose Lianhua group and low-dose Lianhua group (P ＜ 0.05),while IL-13 level in serum only decreased in DEX group.There was no significant changes in the levels of IL 4 and INF γ among those groups.Conclusions Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets might relieve the symptoms of asthma by reducing IL-13 level and inhibiting the airway inflammation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the cytotoxicity and gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles.MethodsN-methylene phosphonic chitosan (NMPCS) was synthesized using one-step reaction under homogeneous conditions.The NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were prepared using complex coacervation method.The cytotoxicity of NMPCS alone and its complexes with plasmid DNA were determined by MTT assay on HeLa cells.The gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were investigated using pGL3control vector as reporter gene.ResultsThe MTT results suggested that the NMPCS and NMPCS/DNA complexes showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than PEI and PEI/DNA complexes,respectively.The gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were greatly improved compared with unmodified chitosan.ConclusionNMPCS would demonstrate great potential as a novel,safe,efficient non-viral vector for gene delivery.

AIM: To investigate the expression of NKG2A,NKG2D and their ligands in pregnancy uterine micro-environment and to probe the function of NKG2A and NKG2D imbalance expression during the immunotolerance at the fetal-maternal boundary.METHODS: Decidual lymphocytes and peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from 30 women during 6-9 weeks of pregnancy who were undergoing selective termination.FACS technology was used to detect NK cells number and NKG2A,NKG2D expression.RT-PCR was used to investigate HLA-E and MICA mRNA in trophoblast tissue.RESULTS: Natural killer cells predominate,accounting for 70% of pregnancy endometrial lymphocytes.FACS results indicated that NKG2A was significantly increased in decidual NK cells as compared with that in peripheral NK cells,accounting for 97.86%?1.75% and 33.35%?10.92%.The difference between them in NKG2A expression was significant(P

Human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes facial,ocular,and encephalitic disease and is associated with latent infection and cancer.Here,we developed a means of studying the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection at the protein level by using the SELDI Protein Chip to detect changes of protein expression in Vero cells cultured in vitro.After infection with HSV-1 and culture for 12,24 or 48 h,cells were harvested and lysed.IMAC3 arrays were applied to SELDI-TOF-MS to detect proteomic differences before and after infection.The chip detected a series of differentially expressed protein peaks.Interestingly,both peaks at 16 912 Da and 17 581 Da corresponded precisely with the molecular mass of ISG 15,which may participate in antiviral activity during the process of infection.Thus,the results we obtained can serve as a basis to study the pathogenesis of HSV-1 and the interaction between the virus and its host.In addition,they can help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets for treatment of HSV-1 infection.

Background Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is an important cause of visual impairment and graft rejection after allograft corneal transplantation in inflammatory corneal diseases. The mechanisms and therapy relating to CNV are intensely investigated at all times. Objective This study was to evaluate the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on CNV induced by alkali cauterization and its mechanism. Methods The animal models of corneal neovasculation were induced in the right eyes in 72 Sprayue-Dawley rats by putting a piece of 3 mmfilter paper with 1 mol/L NaOH at the center of the cornea for 30 seconds. The rats were then divided randomly into the 0.02 mg EPA treatment group (24 rats) ,0.03 mg EPA treatment group (24 rats) ,model group (24 rats) and normal group (6 rats). EPA of 0.04 ml with doses of 0.02 mg or 0. 03 mg or saline solution of 0. 04 ml was injected subconjunctivally in model rats and immediately after cauterization. The presence of CNV and corneal edema were observed daily by slit lamp biomicroscope. 1,4,7 and 14 days after operation, corneal histopathological examination was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The vascular endothelial cells were stained with CD34 by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of IL-1α,IL-6 mRNA and the nuclear factor-κBp65 ( NF-κBp65 ) proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The use of animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by Hebei Province( version 1998 ). Results Under the slit lamp, CNV grew slowly from days 2-4 with obvious corneal edema and defect of epithelium. Larger CNV area and less edema were seen from days 7-10. Maximal vessel growth was observed 14 days after injury with thinner vessels in the model group. Histological examination showed that part of the corneal epithelium was damaged;serious corneal edema, more inflammatory cells and a lot of CNV in the stroma were presented in the model group. However, repairing of the corneal epithelium without CNV ,light corneal edema and less inflammatory cells were found in both the 0. 02 mg EPA and 0. 03 mg EPA treatment groups 7 days after alkali cauterization. The relative area of CNV in the 0. 02 mg EPA treatment group was ( 15.80±6.43 )% and ( 11.06±2. 14)% ,and that in the 0. 03 mg EPA treatment group was (16. 10±7.41 )% and (11.06±2. 51 )%, showing significant reduction in comparison with the model group [ (84. 74±7.77)% and (89.63±7.50) % ] 7 days and 14 days after operation ( P＜0. 05 ). Stronger expression of CD34 in the vascular endothelial cells of the cornea stroma was observed in the model group and an absence of CD34 was observed in the EPA-treated groups on the 7th day. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of IL-1α mRNA and IL-6 mRNA was lower in the EPA treatment groups than the model group ( P＜0. 05 ), and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of NF-κB/p65 in the corneas in the EPA treatment groups was significantly lower than that in the model group on the 4th day after operation (P＜0.05).Conclusion Topical application of EPA suppresses CNV induced by alkali burn possibly by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB,IL-1α and IL-6.

Objective To construct phage display single-chain antibody fragments (scFvs) library against histidine-rich protein Ⅱ (HRP-Ⅱ) of Plasmodium falciparum and select specific scFvs of anti- HRP-Ⅱ for the purpose of malaria diagnosis. Method The genes of variable fragments of heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) were gained from the spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with HRP-Ⅱ protein. The VH and VL genes were then assembled by the method of splicing overlapping extension and cloned into phagemid vector pCANTAB 5E. The scFv phage antibodies were expressed at the surface of the phage after the rescue by helper phage M13K07. HRP- Ⅱ protein was used as antigenic reagent for panning and screening. Results The total RNA from the spleen cells was isolated, and cDNA obtained and VH and VL gene regions amplified using PCR. The VH and VL gene regions were combined with a flexible linker ligated into the pCANTAB 5E phagemid vector, and transformed into TG1 Escherichia coli. The repertoire of the phage antibody was about 106. After panning and screening, 8 positive clones expressed scFv antibodies which were specific for HPR-Ⅱ as demonstrated by ELISA. Conclusion Phage display technology can be used as a powerful tool in making scFv antibodies which have the potential to be used as reagents in the diagnosis and therapy of malaria.

Objective To construct phage display single-chain antibody fragments (scFvs) library against histidine-rich protein Ⅱ (HRP-Ⅱ) of Plasmodium falciparum and select specific scFvs of anti- HRP-Ⅱ for the purpose of malaria diagnosis. Method The genes of variable fragments of heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) were gained from the spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with HRP-Ⅱ protein. The VH and VL genes were then assembled by the method of splicing overlapping extension and cloned into phagemid vector pCANTAB 5E. The scFv phage antibodies were expressed at the surface of the phage after the rescue by helper phage M13K07. HRP- Ⅱ protein was used as antigenic reagent for panning and screening. Results The total RNA from the spleen cells was isolated, and cDNA obtained and VH and VL gene regions amplified using PCR. The VH and VL gene regions were combined with a flexible linker ligated into the pCANTAB 5E phagemid vector, and transformed into TG1 Escherichia coli. The repertoire of the phage antibody was about 106. After panning and screening, 8 positive clones expressed scFv antibodies which were specific for HPR-Ⅱ as demonstrated by ELISA. Conclusion Phage display technology can be used as a powerful tool in making scFv antibodies which have the potential to be used as reagents in the diagnosis and therapy of malaria.

OBJECTIVETo explore the biological effect on NB4 cells proliferation, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inducing differentiation and resistance to apoptosis by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C cDNA transfection.

METHODSThe recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-VEGF-C and the vacant pcDNA3.1 vector were introduced separately into NB4 cells by lipofectamine mediation. The positive clones were screened by G418 and identified by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The proliferation capacity of NB4/VEGF-C cells was analysed by MTT assay and colony forming assay in vitro. After NB4/VEGF-C cells were induced by ATRA, the expression level of C/EBPalpha gene, CD11b on cells surface and morphological alteration were analysed by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR), flow cytometry (FCM), and Wright-Giemsa staining, respectively. FCM Annexin V-FITC/PI dual labeling technique was performed to investigate the etoposide (Vp16) induced NB4/VEGF-C cells apoptosis and bcl-2 gene expression level in these cells was analysed by RQ-PCR. The NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells was used as control in the above experiments.

RESULTSA stable NB4 cell line that secrets VEGF-C and its control lines were established. The proliferation capacity of the former was stronger than that of the latter. The expression level of C/EBPalpha gene of NB4/VEGF-C cells on ATRA treatment was only 1/32 that of NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells. The CD11b level and the degree of differentiation of NB4/VEGF-C were weaker than that of NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells. The percentage of apoptotic NB4/VEGF-C cells induced by Vp16 [(7.20 +/- 2.52)%] was significantly lower than that of NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells [(16.07 +/- 3.58)%] (P = 0.005), but the bcl-2 gene expression level of NB4/VEGF-C cells is 2.28-fold that of NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe VEGF-C via VEGFR-3 signaling pathway could promote the proliferation of leukemic cells by autocrine pathway and inhibit the cell differentiation mediated by ATRA and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling loops might play an important role in disease progression and be potential therapeutic target for the treatment of leukemias.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD11b Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology